Uncertified lifting gear found in use
- Safety Flash
- Published on 9 February 2023
- Generated on 28 October 2025
- IMCA SF 04/23
- 2 minute read
A number of shackles and other lifting equipment were observed in use onboard a vessel with no certification or inspection reports available.
What happened?
Some equipment was colour-coded by the crew and deemed as being in good condition; other equipment was not included in the vessel lifting gear register, nor was it colour-coded.
Further investigation revealed that lifting equipment had been left onboard and not removed after the end of the previous project, on which client-supplied lifting equipment was used.
A number of shackles and other lifting equipment were observed in use onboard
What was the cause?
- Company lifting equipment inspection processes were not followed: “Authorised competent person to conduct the lifting gear inspection process on an 6 monthly basis with further issue of inspection report.”
- Client-supplied lifting gear was not removed from vessel, nor quarantined.
- This same equipment was not presented to the vessel lifting gear inspection onboard, conducted by the lifting inspection contractor.
- There was a lack of awareness of both relevant lifting equipment regulations and of local and corporate safety management system standards.
Actions taken
- An overall check of the lifting gear and relevant equipment was initiated and all identified non-compliant equipment was quarantined.
- Onboard discussion arranged for crew to better understand:
- There should be no use of lifting equipment unless it has been thoroughly examined, tested and certified.
- Colour coding of lifting gear or equipment should not be applied by crew without there being a relevant certificate or inspection report available.
- There should be no use of lifting equipment unless it has been thoroughly examined, tested and certified.
- All lifting equipment available on board to be presented during testing and examination provided by competent authorised party.
Members may wish to refer to:
- IMCA HSS019 – Guidelines for lifting operations
Related safety flashes
-
IMCA SF 10/15
16 July 2015
-
IMCA SF 01/15
16 January 2015
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